Hi! Newby!

Hospice Nurse LPN, BSN, RN · Apr 7, 2008

Good luck to you! :yeah:

maybe_baby · Apr 8, 2008

thanks!

i do have a lot of questions. i'm going to try the search, but meantime, i'll post my questions anyway, just in case someone is in the mood to answer.

i applied to dcc last march, paid the application fee, registered for classes, so on and so forth. i had considered radiologic technology at the time and cited it as my major. i ended up having to put my return to school off for a while, so i ended up canceling the classes i had registered for.

when i went to re-apply, i was prompted for my pin, which i freakishly remembered by heart, even though i had only used it maybe twice and over a year ago (you'd think my memory of trivial obscurities would be more useful. funny how i don't remember anything important though...), and everything was still there. it said that if changes were needed to the app, to email enroll- but as anyone who attended delgado knows, good luck with that. i did email them, but still no response.

so if anyone here knows, do i need to re-apply/re-pay the app fee? i'd like to register asap, but can't get my info changed if i'm going to continue to be ignored by dcc's enrollment.

and as far as pre-reqs- i've read that certain classes are unnecessary, and i'm afraid i underestimated the hours i am short. i counted my bio's and maths, but not my pre-reqs to pre-reqs.

which bio's are recommended and which are unnecessary? i'm sure some are more applicable (for example, i've read that there are certain classes that are specifically laid out for those who intend on applying to nursing school).

questions about charity itself (more importantly- i'm sure i'll figure all this stuff out in time):

i read on the website that applicants are supposed to take PAX?? and then I read something about TEAS??

which is it? is it both?

when do i take it/them?

i also have heard that it could take 1-2 years after applying to even be accepted...so, i'm assuming i am to apply after i complete all pre-reqs...and then possibly :uhoh21: wait?

finally, i know it's a long way off, but i'm just wondering. i asked mom, but she tends to skirt on details, and i tend to be a very detailed oriented person:

what kind of class and clinical hours am i going to be looking at once/IF i get into charity? M-F ___ a.m.- ___ p.m.? MTWTFS?

i gotta know what to expect having three kids and all.

one more thing i'm giddy about- just to share: this is the first venture my husband has been 100% supportive about. he's warned me a bit, like, "all the nurses i know hate it" (his sister is a nurse, and i can say with a great deal of certainty that both my mom and sister-in-law do hate it), but all in all, he thinks it's a great idea. usually, he's quite apprehensive when i say something like, "i wanna go to ________ school..."

cajunmom06 · Apr 9, 2008

Hello Maybe baby!!

I commend you on your decision to "go for it"!It is always helpful that you have support from your husband.I have been a student off and on for soo long..I am 33 years old, was married out of high school and have 3 children. I am now going through a divorce, well I have been for the past 2 years or so ! My 3 children are all in school , so now is a better time than ever to go for what I want in life.

I am not sure about the re-app for Delgado. Since you are not a continuing student, and you didn't attend the semester you registered for in th epast. I would venture to say, it's best if you re-apply, give your new major, and pay the $15..I wouldnt count on a response via email. Go there andfill out your app and see a counselor that will tell you the best steps to take. Im pretty sure you can do it all at once.

I started seriously attending in Fall 2005 whenKatrina hit. I started with English 101 and Math the 1st semester, then I took Engl102 and Math folowing that. Then I took Bio with lab and Psychology. Then Music and Math. You need 118 as well as 120 0r 128 IN MATH. I had to start with a low Math but managed to climb up with A's except for in 128 I got a B! Okay im rambling...

Then I took anatomy and Phys I with lab by itself because with 3 children thats enough!!

I took Anatomy and Phy II WITH LAB BY ITSELF..again same reason. I took several online courses and I personally loved them . I am able to pause the lecture and tend to kids, etc. BUt you must be dedicated and motivated to be successful in them,. I do better in online courses.You take the exams on campus though .

The test to get in Nursing School is the TEAS. You can purchase a study guide online or at college bookstore. I took practice test online and I think that really helped me focus on what to brush up on.

You HAVE TO APPLY A YEAR BEFORE THE TIME YOU EXPECT TO START nURSING sCHOOL. You DONT HAVE TO HAVE all prereqs completed BUT IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU TIME IT RIGHT SO YOU WILL BE DONE WITH ALL PREREQS, INCLUDING aN p II, Microbiology, Humanities, etc.

Pleaseeee excuse the wackiness of my typing. I am currently trying to do a million things at once but I really wanted to help you, so Im typing without even looking!!!!!! and it shows!!!!

As far as Nursing school hours..I just registered for Basics and Pharm and my schedule looks like this:

M:10:30-12:30 Basics, Tues:clinical days:7:30 am-2:30pm, Wed off, Thurs:9-12,(Basics) Fri 9-12(Pharm)

I start CSN in Fall and would love to help guide you in any way, as I look for guidance on a daily basis also! Good luck on your journey!! If you ahev more specific questions , please ask away

mstoussaint-smart · Apr 10, 2008

i also this register for basics& pharm. I am also divorced parent w/three kids. I would cld at dcc and get all the information sent to u or get a packet from office or look on the website. i say go for because u don't want to look back and have any regret. Never give up on yourself dreams. trust in god for everything.

mimimartina · Apr 10, 2008

HI, about to finish up Basics at CSN in a few weeks,,and the schedule is almost never what you think it will be. Things get changed a lot,,you have to stay later for lab practice, etc. I usually get out of school by around 3 or so. It always seems like you have to stay to finish up something or do something extra. Your 1st couple of weeks are not anything like your "registered schedule". I didn't have to worry about picking up kids or being home when they get in,,but you will need to have back up available at all times. Be prepared to stay VERY BUSY....

cajunmom06 · Apr 10, 2008

mimimartina,

do you have any advice on how to prepare for basics and pharm? Should I brush up on functions of systems, or practice anything in particular..I learn things by repetitive practice. It doesnt come naturally to just know everything!I feel like I have to constantly study!

wow , now Im worried about getting kids to and from school..the 1st 6 weeks before clinicals start what do you do on those"clinical" days?

Thanks for the info! I appreciate it

mimimartina · Apr 10, 2008

As far as Pharm goes,,,just know how to add, subtract, multiply and divide,,,yeah, the math is basic. The teacher is awesome (day division, don't know the evening teacher). For Basics, review A&P, get a Fundamentals Success book and use it to learn to answer critical analysis type questions, cause that is what you will be doing from here on out. Make sure you get a medical dictionary as suggested,,you'll need it. Pay attention to the 1st few weeks, it kind of seems like trivial things, but for instance, "Culture" will come up throughout the course, and I think "forever". The 1st couple of weeks seem overwhelming, cause you are bombarded with information, just try to absorb as much as you can,,cause this is your groundwork for the duration... :nurse:

mimimartina · Apr 10, 2008

Oh, I forgot,,,Basics is divided into Lecture and Clinical,,,you will have actual Clinical lecture days, and regular lecture days,,,on the clinical days, you will also spend time in the lab practicing your skills...

cajunmom06 · Apr 10, 2008

mimimartina, thank you sooo much for the helpful information... Im such a nervous nelly!